Sumitomo affirms Metrolinx DMU add-on order

Sumitomo Corp. of America this week has affirmed that it, in conjunction with partner Nippon Sharyo, entered into an agreement October 31 to supply Greater Toronto Area’s Metrolinx with six additional diesel multiple-units (DMUs), slated for use on Toronto’s planned rail line linking Toronto’s Union Station with Lester B. Pearson International Airport.

The US$22 million contract will be for the middle flat-nosed “C Car,” which connects both ends of slanted-nose “A Cars” (pictured at left), Sumitomo said. Metrolinx plans to use these additional 6 cars as a middle car in three-car consists, but the “C Cars” can beoperated individually as well, Sumitomo said. Delivery of the “C Cars” is scheduled for 2015.

The new cars will meet the stringent Tier 4 emissions standards and will incorporate Crash Energy management (CEM) features that comply and exceed with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements. Final assembly of the cars will take place in Rochelle, Ill., with the facility beginning production in the second quarter of next year.

"This new contract from Metrolinx solidifies our expanding share in the DMU market and invigorates our plans to increase our future presence in the market", said Hideyuki "Hugh" Ninomiya, director of Transportation Systems at Sumitomo Corp. of America.